Garden Notes

Levin Daily Chronicle, 7 February 1918, Page 1

Garden Notes

The refreshing rain after the 1 great

heat has given another start to rapid growth in tlie w'cll-lcept aiid cultivated garden. There is 110 period of standing still. Growth and development are going on day and night, and tho husbandman must keep pace with the growth. Success is only attained by eternal vigilance. A crop may fail, onec in a while, but don't waste time with "vain regrets. Show yourself to be master of the situation by clearing and replanting the plot. With our Now Zealand climato there is always an opportunity for a succession crop, which inay prove to bo an unqualified success. Embrace tho opportunity and don't be sparing with the fertiliser. WINTER CABBAGE. The. most', important' work just now is to complete arrangements for a', winter supply of Cabbage, brusscls "sprouts, savoys, and kale. Planting of those should be completed by the middle of February. If the plants make good growth before tho short days intervene they will continue to grow all winter. SILVER BEET. A good bed of spinach and silver beet is valuable during winter. These are immune from the ravages of the cabbage fly. Tho best variety of silver beet is Giant Luculls, which has crisp, white stems and tender, crinkled leaves. The stems make an. excellent dish; they should bo cut in one-inch lengths and stewed till tender and served with melted butter sauce. B.cet is a rapid grower, and can be gathered from three to four months after sowing. GATHERING IN CROPS. 4. ONIONS. < Early sown onions should soon be ready for harvesting. .They .should be carefully pulled and oil the surface to dry-and ripen. If left in the ground after they are matured the-y-will start to make- fresh roots, and this will interfere with their keeping qualities. I find tho best way to- keep onions is to tie them in convenient bunches and hang them up in a dry airy shed. Drive in a few nails in the roof and hang the bunches about six inchcs apart, So that the air gets all round, but too near the hot iron. .Any that have no necks to tie put them in an old kit or a piece of scrim and hang up. They will keep six or eight months, arc handy to get at, and arc out of the way. Don't put them away in bulk, or they will sweat and go mouldy in a short time. TOMATOES, MELONS, AND

CUCUMBERS Are now making vigorous growth, and should receive frequent attention by removing lateral growths and pinching off ends of runners. It must, however, be borne in mind that healthy foliage is essential for the development of fruit, and that in no case should too much foliage be ,-rewoved, but only shortened back.

The green caterpillars are now commencing their ravages amongst "fill-ten-der, fast-growing plants. I find the English •+hnTSh-'TiTid' blackbirdS"'destro3largo numbers of thesc„pcsts; and if they arc left alone by the cats no other remedy is required. In my garden they arc mistaken for rats running about under the green plants quite tame. The most effective spray for these i:-. arsenate of lead solution. . This being an irritant poison, every precaution should be taken to thoroughly cleanse the fl-uit'before it'is sold or usccl for the table.-